Mark Dawson, multi-instrumentalist and solo recording artist, and current lead vocalist and bass player for The Grass Roots, is the nicest guy in the world and everyone’s friend.
“Florida Man proud,” Mark Dawson is as friendly and humorous, as he is talented and accomplished. I first got to know Mark through his playing with classic 1960’s band The Grass Roots, but got to know him much better, as so many of us have, through his witty anecdotes and jokes Mark has posted online through out the Corona Virus Pandemic, as well as listening to his recent release of his latest CD, “All My Best“, and watching Mark perform online concerts from his own living room. Mark has been a positive light through out this pandemic, giving us a Winston Churchill-like confidence that we will all get through this together.
We are all looking forward to the day when we can go back to seeing concerts in real life, and I personally cannot wait to see my next Grass Roots concert fearing Mark. In the mean time, we have his lovely online presence, and Mark has been gracious enough to do an interview for me.
Emily Wells: You’re not an original member of The Grass Roots. How and when did you come on board?
Mark Dawson: Rob Grill brought me into the band on January 8, 2008.
Emily Wells: Were you a fan of The Grass Roots prior to being a member?
Mark Dawson: My top three favorite Pop groups of all time are The Beatles, The Guess Who, and The Grass Roots. Always!!!!!
Emily Wells: There have been many so many members of the Grass Roots. Are there any notable ones you have met or had connections to through out your career with the band?
Mark Dawson: The former members of the grass roots have separated themselves from the group over the years. A few of them are still out there playing. Dennis Provisor and Creed Bratton come to mind. Plus, “The Wrecking Crew” were so integral to the sound of those early recordings. Great stuff!
Emily Wells: What is your musical background? Where did you grow up, and how did you get into music?
Mark Dawson: I grew up in Chicago. Born and raised in the city. My early influences were groups that I could see on TV. Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Hollies, Rascals, etc. I joined a band in high school as the singer. I wasn’t really a singer, but the band wanted me to be their singer anyway. Their guitar player taught me to play guitar… Which later led to bass at age 18.
Emily Wells: Did you have other career paths prior to being in The Grass Roots? Do you have any other current careers?
Mark Dawson: The only other thing I did in my life was work at a record store from 1979 to 1983. Best. Job. Ever!
Emily Wells: What is your favorite song to perform?
Mark Dawson: With The Grass Roots my favorite song is “River Is Wide“. In general, however I love to sing the Moody Blues classic, “Nights In White Satin”. I also love playing my own song, “The Ukulele Song“. Just fun to play in sing that one.
Emily Wells: What is your favorite venue to perform in? What is your favorite city to travel to?
Mark Dawson: My favorite venue to play on a regular basis is the golden nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. Great show room, great sound and lights. And they treat you like kings there. I’m also a big fan of playing the Wolf trap in Vienna, Virginia and the Pacific amphitheater in Costa Mesa, California.
Emily Wells: What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not performing with The Grass Roots?
Mark Dawson: Write and record music. Just me, some guitars, some keyboards and drums. It really passes the time.
Emily Wells: Do you have a cool or funny concert story that you’d like to share?
Mark Dawson: Many years ago, probably around 1985 or so, Tommy Shaw from Styx came up to jam with my band. We were having a great time, until a guitar player friend of mine decided to join us on stage. He was terrible. Mostly because he was drunk. This was annoying Tommy and myself. Tommy turns to me at one point and says, “can you get this clown off stage so we could play some good music?” as I turned to my friend to ask him to please exit exit the stage, he tripped over a cord and fell straight forward off the edge of the stage. BAM. He was fine. But timing is truly everything! 
Emily Wells: Is there anything else I didn’t ask about that you would like to tell us?
Mark Dawson: I’ve been doing a radio program for six years now. It’s kind of my secret weapon of fun. On Thursday nights at 8 PM Eastern time you can catch my show “Making Noise With Mark Dawson“ on Hall of Fame music radio – www.HOFMradio.com . Thank you so much for your time!
Emily Wells: Thank you, Mark Dawson! You truly are so kind, funny, and talented!
Please feel free to check out and learn more about Mark at his website markdawson.us and Mark Dawson – Mr. Noise on Facebook.